Air India Express says it is first airline to connect NE India directly with West AsiaLast updated: June 25, 2026 | 11:342 MIN READAir India Express says it has become the first airline to connect Northeast India directly to West Asia.Air India Express The announcement comes days after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Air India would begin direct flights from Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.The new routes will connect Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport with Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With these services, Guwahati will have direct international connectivity to four countries — the UAE, Thailand, Singapore and Bhutan.Historically, travellers from India’s eastern and northeastern states have often relied on connecting flights through major hubs such as Delhi and Kolkata for international journeys. Direct international links from the region have gradually expanded in recent years.Flights to Dubai and Abu DhabiAir India Express said the new services will mark its first international operations from Guwahati.The airline currently operates around 120 weekly flights from Guwahati, making it one of its larger stations. The new UAE routes are expected to provide more direct travel options for passengers travelling between Northeast India and the Gulf region.Air India Express expands Northeast networkWith the addition of Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights, Air India Express said it now operates more than 290 weekly flights from four stations in Northeast India — Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Guwahati and Imphal.The airline also highlighted its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, which features regional art and cultural motifs on its aircraft designs. These include Assam’s Gamosa and Jaapi motifs, along with traditional art forms from other northeastern states.Dhanusha is a Chief Reporter at Gulf News in Dubai, with her finger firmly on the pulse of UAE, regional, and global aviation. She dives deep into how airlines and airports operate, expand, and embrace the latest tech.